UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: The missing rifles were turned in to the Fruitport Township Police Department after information about them was released, the department reports. They have been returned to the VFW. No charges are being pursued.

FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, MI – The Fruitport Veterans of Foreign Wars reports that it’s missing seven honor guard ceremonial rifles that appear to have been stolen, according to the Fruitport Township Police Department.

Police were called around 9:40 a.m. Friday, July 26. Members of the Fruitport VFW reported that seven rifles fell off a truck near Airline and Sheridan roads in Fruitport Township.

According to witnesses, two men in a different vehicle stopped and picked up the rifles before the VFW truck was able to get back to where they had fallen, according to a police statement.

The rifles are described as Springfield M-1 Garand .30 Caliber rifles. The rifles are equipped to shoot blanks and are not safe to fire live ammunition.

The rifles are used for military funeral services and other VFW ceremonial activities, and it is important they be returned immediately for upcoming services, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fruitport Township Police Department at (231) 865-8477 or Silent Observer at (231) 72-CRIME.